The Role of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure Identified in Critical Care, Inpatient, and Outpatient Settings.

An emerging body of literature describes the prevalence and consequences of hypercapnic respiratory failure. While device qualifications, documentation practices, and previously performed clinical studies often encourage conceptualizing patients as having a single "cause" of hypercapnia, many patients encountered in practice have several contributing conditions. Physiologic and epidemiologic data suggest that sleep-disordered breathing-particularly obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-often contributes to the development of hypercapnia. In this review, the authors summarize the frequency of contributing conditions to hypercapnic respiratory failure among patients identified in critical care, emergency, and inpatient settings with an aim toward understanding the contribution of OSA to the development of hypercapnia.

Clinical characteristics and disease course before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection in a large cohort of systemic sclerosis patients.

Background/aim: The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical presentations and adverse outcomes of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and assess the impact of SSc features on the clinical course of COVID-19. Materials and methods: In this multicenter, retrospective study, SSc patients with COVID-19 were included. Clinical features of SSc, along with detailed COVID-19 data, were extracted from medical records and patient interviews. Results: The study included 112 patients (mean age 51.4 ± 12.8 years; 90.2% female). SSc-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) was evident in 57.1% of the patients. The findings revealed hospitalization in 25.5%, respiratory support in 16.3%, intensive care unit admission in 3.6%, and a mortality rate of 2.7% among SSc patients with COVID-19. Risk factors for respiratory failure, identified through univariate analysis, included ILD (OR: 7.49, 95% CI: 1.63-34.46), ≥1 comorbidity (OR: 4.55, 95% CI: 1.39-14.88), a higher physician global assessment score at the last outpatient visit (OR 2.73, 95% CI: 1.22-6.10), and the use of mycophenolate at the time of infection (OR: 5.16, 95 %CI: 1.79-14.99). Notably, ≥1 comorbidity emerged as the sole significant predictor of the need for respiratory support in COVID-19 (OR: 5.78, 95% CI: 1.14-29.23). In the early post-COVID-19 period, 17% of patients reported the progression of the Raynaud phenomenon, and 10.6% developed new digital ulcers. Furthermore, progression or new onset of dyspnea and cough were detected in 28.3% and 11.4% of patients, respectively. Conclusion: This study suggests a potential association between adverse outcomes of COVID-19 and SSc-related ILD, severe disease activity, and the use of mycophenolate. Additionally, it highlights that having comorbidities is an independent risk factor for the need for respiratory support in COVID-19 cases.

The impact of comorbidities on prolonged mechanical ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and acute respiratory failure, approximately 10% of them are considered to be at high risk for prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV, > 21 days). PMV have been identified as independent predictors of unfavorable outcomes. Our previous study revealed that patients aged 70 years older and COPD severity were at a significantly higher risk for PMV. We aimed to analyze the impact of comorbidities and their associated risks in patients with COPD who require PMV. METHODS: The data used in this study was collected from Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital Research Database. The COPD subjects were the patients first diagnosed COPD (index date) between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2020. The exclusion criteria were the patients with age less than 40 years, PMV before the index date or incomplete records. COPD and non-COPD patients, matched controls were used by applying the propensity score matching method. RESULTS: There are 3,744 eligible patients with COPD in the study group. The study group had a rate of 1.6% (60 cases) patients with PMV. The adjusted HR of PMV was 2.21 (95% CI 1.44-3.40; P < 0.001) in the COPD patients than in non-COPD patients. Increased risks of PMV were found significantly for patients with diabetes mellitus (aHR 4.66; P < 0.001), hypertension (aHR 3.20; P = 0.004), dyslipidemia (aHR 3.02; P = 0.015), congestive heart failure (aHR 6.44; P < 0.001), coronary artery disease (aHR 3.11; P = 0.014), stroke (aHR 6.37; P < 0.001), chronic kidney disease (aHR 5.81 P < 0.001) and Dementia (aHR 5.78; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Age, gender, and comorbidities were identified as significantly higher risk factors for PMV occurrence in the COPD patients compared to the non-COPD patients. Beyond age, comorbidities also play a crucial role in PMV in COPD.

Risk factors for COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis and outcomes in patients with acute respiratory failure in a respiratory sub-intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) is burdened by high mortality. Data are lacking about non-ICU patients. Aims of this study were to: (i) assess the incidence and prevalence of CAPA in a respiratory sub-intensive care unit, (ii) evaluate its risk factors and (iii) impact on in-hospital mortality. Secondary aims were to: (i) assess factors associated to mortality, and (ii) evaluate significant features in hematological patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective study of COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure. A cohort of CAPA patients was compared to a non-CAPA cohort. Among patients with CAPA, a cohort of hematological patients was further compared to another of non-hematological patients. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty patients were included in the study. Median P/F ratio at the admission to sub-intensive unit was 225 mmHg (IQR 155-314). 55 (15.7%) developed CAPA (incidence of 5.5%). Eighteen had probable CAPA (37.3%), 37 (67.3%) possible CAPA and none proven CAPA. Diagnosis of CAPA occurred at a median of 17 days (IQR 12-31) from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Independent risk factors for CAPA were hematological malignancy [OR 1.74 (95%CI 0.75-4.37), p = 0.0003], lymphocytopenia [OR 2.29 (95%CI 1.12-4.86), p = 0.02], and COPD [OR 2.74 (95%CI 1.19-5.08), p = 0.014]. Mortality rate was higher in CAPA cohort (61.8% vs 22.7%, p < 0.0001). CAPA resulted an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality [OR 2.92 (95%CI 1.47-5.89), p = 0.0024]. Among CAPA patients, age > 65 years resulted a predictor of mortality [OR 5.09 (95% CI 1.20-26.92), p = 0.035]. No differences were observed in hematological cohort. CONCLUSION: CAPA is a life-threatening condition with high mortality rates. It should be promptly suspected, especially in case of hematological malignancy, COPD and lymphocytopenia.

Factors Associated With Respiratory Failure After Open Ventral Hernia Repair: An Evaluation of the NSQIP Database.

An analysis of ACS-NSQIP open ventral hernia repair (OVHR) data (2017-2019) was performed. Respiratory failure (RF) occurred in 643 patients (1%) and not in 63,213 (99%) (nRF). Respiratory failure patients were older (63.7 vs 57 years, P < .001) and more comorbid: insulin-dependent diabetes (14.7% vs 5.8%, P < .001), COPD (19.4% vs 5.2%, P < .001), BMI (36.0 vs 32.8, P < .001), and current tobacco use (24.9% vs 17.6%, P < .001). Respiratory failure patients had greater ASA scores (ASA 3: 63.3% vs 47.8%, P < .001), bowel resection (8.2% vs 1.3%, P < .001), component separation (20.1% vs 9.0%, P < .001), operative times (178.4 vs 98.8 minutes, P < .001), complications (deep wound infections 3.6% vs 1.0%, organ space infections 13.2% vs 1.0%, wound dehiscence 3.1% vs 0.6%, acute renal failure 11.7% vs 0.1%), and hospital stay (13.7 vs 2.3 days), with fewer home discharges (44.3% vs 96.4%) (all P < .001). Respiratory failure patients had higher mortality compared to nRF (20.2% vs 0.1%, P < .001). Respiratory failure after OVHR is rare but correlates closely with significant wound, systemic, and social complications. Preoperative management of risk factors would be appropriate in high-risk patients.

Pre- and intra-operative risk factors predict postoperative respiratory failure after minimally invasive oesophagectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Severe pulmonary complications such as postoperative respiratory failure can occur after minimally invasive oesophagectomy. However, the risk factors have not been well identified. The goal of this study was to develop a predictive model for the occurrence of postoperative respiratory failure with a large sample. METHODS: We collected data from patients with oesophageal cancer who had a minimally invasive oesophagectomy at Shanghai Chest Hospital from 2019 to 2022. Univariable and backward stepwise logistic regression analysis of 19 pre- and intra-operative factors was used before model fitting, and its performance was evaluated with the receiver operating characteristic curve. Internal validation was assessed with a calibration plot, decision curve analysis and area under the curve with 95% confidence intervals, obtained from 1000 resamples set by the bootstrap method. RESULTS: This study enrolled 2,386 patients, 57 (2.4%) of whom developed postoperative respiratory failure. Backward stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that age, body mass index, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide, tumour location and duration of chest surgery ≥101.5 min were predictive factors. A predictive model was constructed and showed acceptable performance (area under the curve: 0.755). The internal validation with the bootstrap method proves the good agreement for prediction and reality. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity, severe diffusion dysfunction and upper segment oesophageal cancer were strong predictive factors. The established predictive model has acceptable predictive validity for postoperative respiratory failure after minimally invasive oesophagectomy, which may improve the identification of high-risk patients and enable health-care professionals to perform risk assessment for postoperative respiratory failure at the initial consultation.

Outcomes of Acute Respiratory Failure in Patients With Cancer in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the epidemiological effect-magnitude and outcomes of patients with cancer vs those without cancer who are hospitalized with acute respiratory failure (ARF). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed hospitalizations within the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2018. Patients were classified based on a diagnosis of solid-organ cancer, hematologic cancer, or no cancer. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) failure was defined as patients who initially received NIPPV and had progression to invasive mechanical ventilation. Weighted samples were used to derive population estimates. RESULTS: During the study period, there were an estimated 8,837,209 admissions with ARF in the United States, 8.9% (783,625) of which had solid-organ cancer and 2.0% (176,095) had hematologic cancers. Annually, 319,907 patients with cancer are admitted with ARF, with 27.3% (87,302) requiring invasive mechanical ventilation and 10.0% (31,998) requiring NIPPV. In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with cancer vs those without cancer (24.0% [76,813] vs 12.3% [322,465]; P<.001), and this proprotion persisted when stratified by the highest method of oxygen delivery. Patients with cancer had longer hospital length of stay (7.0 days [3.0 to 12.0 days] vs 5.0 days [3.0 to 10.0 days]; P<.001) and were more likely to have NIPPV failure (14.9% [3,992] vs 12.8% [41,875]). Compared with those with solid-organ cancer, patients with hematologic cancers experienced worse outcomes. The association between underlying cancer diagnosis and outcomes remained consistent when adjusted for age, sex, and comorbidities. CONCLUSION: In the United States, patients with cancer account for over 10% of ARF hospital admissions (959,720 of 8,837,209). They experience an approximately 2-fold higher mortality versus those without cancer. Those with hematologic cancers appear to experience worse outcomes than patients with solid-organ cancers.

Diagnosis and Epidemiology of Acute Respiratory Failure.

Acute respiratory failure is a common clinical finding caused by insufficient oxygenation (hypoxemia) or ventilation (hypocapnia). Understanding the pathophysiology of acute respiratory failure can help to facilitate recognition, diagnosis, and treatment. The cause of acute respiratory failure can be identified through utilization of physical examination findings, laboratory analysis, and chest imaging.

Prognostic factors and outcomes of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, a retrospective hospital-based study.

Objective: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) affects immunocompromised hosts and is associated with higher risks of respiratory failure and mortality. However, the clinical outcomes of different IPA types have not been identified. Methods: Between September 2002 and May 2021, we retrospectively enrolled patients with IPA in Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan. Cases were classified as possible IPA, probable IPA, proven IPA, and putative IPA according to EORTC/MSGERC criteria and the AspICU algorithm. Risk factors of respiratory failure, kidney failure, and mortality were analyzed by logistic regression. A total of 3-year survival was assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test for post-hoc comparisons. Results: We included 125 IPA patients (50: possible IPA, 47: probable IPA, 11: proven IPA, and 17: putative IPA). Comorbidities of liver cirrhosis and solid organ malignancy were risk factors for respiratory failure; diabetes mellitus and post-liver or kidney transplantation were related to kidney failure. Higher galactomannan (GM) test optical density index (ODI) in either serum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was associated with dismal outcomes. Probable IPA and putative IPA had lower 3-year respiratory failure-free survival compared to possible IPA. Probable IPA and putative IPA exhibited lower 3-year renal failure-free survival in comparison to possible IPA and proven IPA. Putative IPA had the lowest 3-year overall survival rates among the four IPA groups. Conclusion: Patients with putative IPA had higher mortality rates than the possible, probable, or proven IPA groups. Therefore, a prompt diagnosis and timely treatment are warranted for patients with putative IPA.

The occurrence of pressure injuries and related risk factors in patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for respiratory failure: A retrospective single centre study.

INTRODUCTION: Limited data is available regarding the incidence of pressure injuries in patients who have undergone Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), a life-saving technique that provides respiratory support for hypoxemia that does not respond to conventional treatment. AIM: To assess the incidence of pressure injuries and identify the risk factors in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome patients receiving ECMO. METHODS: A retrospective observational study utilizing prospectively collected data was performed in an Italian intensive care unit, between 1 January 2012 and 30 April 2022 enrolling all consecutive patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome who underwent ECMO. RESULTS: One hundred patients were included in this study. 67 patients (67%) developed pressure injuries during their intensive care unit stay, with a median of 2 (1-3) sites affected. The subgroup of patients with pressure injuries was more hypoxic before ECMO implementation, received more frequent continuous renal replacement therapy and prone positioning, and showed prolonged ECMO duration, intensive care unit and hospital length of stay compared to patients without pressure injuries. The logistic model demonstrated an independent association between the pO2/FiO2 ratio prior to ECMO initiation, the utilization of the prone positioning during ECMO, and the occurrence of pressure injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of pressure injuries was elevated in patients with Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome who received ECMO. The development of pressure injuries was found to be independently associated with hypoxemia before ECMO initiation and the utilization of prone positioning during ECMO. IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: Patients who require ECMO for respiratory failure are at a high risk of developing pressure injuries. To ensure optimal outcomes during ECMO implementation and treatment, it is vital to implement preventive measures and to closely monitor skin health in at-risk areas.

Clinical predictors of severe forms of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in adults and children during the 2009 epidemic in Brazil.

The World Health Organization (WHO) raised the global alert level for the A(H1N1) influenza pandemic in June 2009. However, since the beginning of the epidemic, the fight against the epidemic lacked foundations for managing cases to reduce the disease lethality. It was urgent to carry out studies that would indicate a model for predicting severe forms of influenza. This study aimed to identify risk factors for severe forms during the 2009 influenza epidemic and develop a prediction model based on clinical epidemiological data. A case-control of cases notified to the health secretariats of the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Paraná, and Rio Grande do Sul was conducted. Cases had fever, respiratory symptoms, positive confirmatory test for the presence of the virus associated with one of the three conditions: (i) presenting respiratory complications such as pneumonia, ventilatory failure, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, acute cardiovascular complications or death; or respiratory failure requiring invasive or non-invasive ventilatory support, (ii) having been hospitalized or (iii) having been admitted to an Intensive Care Unit. Controls were individuals diagnosed with the disease on the same date (or same week) as the cases. A total of 1653 individuals were included in the study, (858 cases/795 controls). These participants had a mean age of 26 years, a low level of education, and were mostly female. The most important predictors identified were systolic blood pressure in mmHg, respiratory rate in bpm, dehydration, obesity, pregnancy (in women), and vomiting (in children). Three clinical prediction models of severity were developed, for adults, adult women, and for children. The performance evaluation of these models indicated good predictive capacity. The area values under the ROC curve of these models were 0.89; 0.98 and 0.91 respectively for the model of adults, adult women, and children respectively.

Estimates of 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications after gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures: A retrospective cohort analysis of a health system population.

The incidence of 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) of gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures (GIEP) are not well characterized in the literature. The primary aim of this study was to identify the incidence of 30-day PPC after GIEP within a large healthcare system. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 5377 patients presenting for GIEP between January 2013 and January 2022. Our primary outcome was the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality PPC composite (AHRQ-PPC). Secondary outcomes were sub-composites derived from the AHRQ-PPC; including pneumonia (AHRQ-PNA), respiratory failure (AHRQ-RF), aspiration pneumonia/ pneumonitis (AHRQ-ASP) and pulmonary emboli (AHRQ-PE). We performed propensity score matching (PSM) followed by multivariable logistic regression to analyze primary and secondary outcomes. Inpatients had higher 30-day AHRQ-PPC (6.0 vs. 1.2%, p<0.001), as well as sub-composite AHRQ-PNA (3.2 vs. 0.7%, p<0.001), AHRQ-RF (2.4 vs. 0.5%, p<0.001), and AHRQ-ASP (1.9 vs. 0.4%, p<0.001). After PSM adjustment, pre-procedural comorbidities of electrolyte disorder [57.9 vs. 31.1%, ORadj: 2.26, 95%CI (1.48, 3.45), p<0.001], alcohol abuse disorder [16.7 vs. 6.8%, ORadj: 2.66 95%CI (1.29, 5.49), p = 0.01], congestive heart failure (CHF) [22.3 vs. 8.7%, ORadj: 2.2 95%CI (1.17, 4.15), p = 0.02] and pulmonary circulatory disorders [21 vs. 16.9%, ORadj: 2.95, 95%CI (1.36, 6.39), p = 0.01] were associated with 30-day AHRQ-PPC. After covariate adjustment, AHRQ-PPC was associated with upper endoscopy more than lower endoscopy [5.9 vs. 1.0%, ORadj: 3.76, 95%CI (1.85, 7.66), p<0.001]. When compared to gastroenterologist-guided conscious sedation, anesthesia care team presence was protective against AHRQ-PPC [3.7 vs. 8.4%, ORadj: 0.032, 95%CI (0.01, 0.22), p<0.001] and AHRQ-ASP [1.0 vs. 3.37%, ORadj: 0.002, 95%CI (0.00, 0.55), p<0.001]. In conclusion, we report estimates of 30-day PPC after GIEP across inpatient and outpatient settings. Upper endoscopic procedures confer a higher risk, while the presence of an anesthesia care team may be protective against 30-day PPC.

Factors Associated with Respiratory Insufficiency in Children with Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The risk factors for respiratory insufficiency in children with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) are poorly known. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with respiratory insufficiency in children with GBS. METHODS: This retrospective study included children diagnosed with GBS by pediatric neurologists and admitted at the Wuhan Children's Hospital and other hospitals from January 2013 to October 2022. The patients were divided into the respiratory insufficiency and nonrespiratory insufficiency groups according to whether they received assist breathing during treatment. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) age of onset of 103 patients were 5 (3.1-8.5) years, 69 (67%) were male, and 64 (62.1%) had a history of precursor infection. Compared with the nonrespiratory insufficiency group, the respiratory insufficiency group showed more facial and/or bulbar weakness (p = 0.002), a higher Hughes Functional Grading Scale (HFGS) at admission (p < 0.001), and a shorter onset-to-admission interval (p = 0.017). Compared with the acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) subtype, the acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) subtype showed longer days from onset to lumbar (p = 0.000), lower HFGS at admission (p = 0.04), longer onset-to-admission interval (p = 0.001), and more cranial nerve involvement (p = 0.04). The incidence of respiratory insufficiency between AIDP and AMAN showed no statistical difference (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, facial and/or bulbar weakness, HFGS at admission, and onset-to-admission interval were associated with respiratory insufficiency and might be useful prognostic markers in children with GBS.

Construction and evaluation of neonatal respiratory failure risk prediction model for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) is a common respiratory disease in preterm infants, often accompanied by respiratory failure. The aim of this study was to establish and validate a nomogram model for predicting the probability of respiratory failure in NRDS patients. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with NRDS were extracted from the MIMIC-iv database. The patients were randomly assigned to a training and a validation cohort. Univariate and stepwise Cox regression analyses were used to determine the prognostic factors of NRDS. A nomogram containing these factors was established to predict the incidence of respiratory failure in NRDS patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), calibration curves and decision curve analysis were used to determine the effectiveness of this model. RESULTS: The study included 2,705 patients with NRDS. Univariate and multivariate stepwise Cox regression analysis showed that the independent risk factors for respiratory failure in NRDS patients were gestational age, pH, partial pressure of oxygen (PO2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2), hemoglobin, blood culture, infection, neonatal intracranial hemorrhage, Pulmonary surfactant (PS), parenteral nutrition and respiratory support. Then, the nomogram was constructed and verified. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified the independent risk factors of respiratory failure in NRDS patients and used them to construct and evaluate respiratory failure risk prediction model for NRDS. The present findings provide clinicians with the judgment of patients with respiratory failure in NRDS and help clinicians to identify and intervene in the early stage.

When to Transfer: Predictors of Pediatric High Flow Nasal Cannula Failure at a Community Hospital.

OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors of high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) failure at a US pediatric hospital without a co-located ICU. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients aged 0 to 18 years who were started on HFNC in the emergency department or inpatient unit at a community hospital over a 16-month period. Children with chronic medical conditions were excluded. Outcome was HFNC failure, defined as HFNC need greater than floor limit, noninvasive positive pressure, or mechanical ventilation. In bivariate analysis, we compared demographic and clinical factors between those with and without failure. We included variables in a multivariable model on the basis of statistical significance. We used Poisson regression with robust error variance to calculate the adjusted relative risk (aRR) of failure for each variable. RESULTS: Of 195 children, 51% had HFNC failure. In adjusted analysis, failure was higher in all age groups <12 months as compared with older children. For example, children aged 3 to 5 months had a higher risk of failure compared with patients 12 months or older (aRR 1.85, confidence interval [CI] 1.34-2.54). Patients with an asthma exacerbation had a higher risk of failure (aRR 1.39, CI 1.03-1.88). Patients whose respiratory rate or heart rate did not improve also had a higher risk of failure (aRR 1.73, CI 1.24-2.41; aRR 1.47, CI 1.14-1.90). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who were younger, had asthma, and did not have improved respiratory rate or heart rate after HFNC were more likely to experience HFNC failure.

Risk factors for ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infection in COVID-19, a retrospective multicenter cohort study in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infections (VA-LRTI) increase morbidity and mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Higher incidences of VA-LRTI have been reported among COVID-19 patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). The primary objectives of this study were to describe clinical characteristics, incidence, and risk factors comparing patients who developed VA-LRTI to patients who did not, in a cohort of Swedish ICU patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure due to COVID-19. Secondary objectives were to decipher changes over the three initial pandemic waves, common microbiology and the effect of VA-LTRI on morbidity and mortality. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of all patients admitted to 10 ICUs in southeast Sweden between March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021 because of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure due to COVID-19 and were mechanically ventilated for at least 48 h. The primary outcome was culture verified VA-LRTI. Patient characteristics, ICU management, clinical course, treatments, microbiological findings, and mortality were registered. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine risk factors for first VA-LRTI. RESULTS: Of a total of 536 included patients, 153 (28.5%) developed VA-LRTI. Incidence rate of first VA-LRTI was 20.8 per 1000 days of IMV. Comparing patients with VA-LRTI to those without, no differences in mortality, age, sex, or number of comorbidities were found. Patients with VA-LRTI had fewer ventilator-free days, longer ICU stay, were more frequently ventilated in prone position, received corticosteroids more often and were more frequently on antibiotics at intubation. Regression analysis revealed increased adjusted odds-ratio (aOR) for first VA-LRTI in patients treated with corticosteroids (aOR 2.64 [95% confidence interval [CI]] [1.31-5.74]), antibiotics at intubation (aOR 2.01 95% CI [1.14-3.66]), and days of IMV (aOR 1.05 per day of IMV, 95% CI [1.03-1.07]). Few multidrug-resistant pathogens were identified. Incidence of VA-LRTI increased from 14.5 per 1000 days of IMV during the first wave to 24.8 per 1000 days of IMV during the subsequent waves. CONCLUSION: We report a high incidence of culture-verified VA-LRTI in a cohort of critically ill COVID-19 patients from the first three pandemic waves. VA-LRTI was associated with increased morbidity but not 30-, 60-, or 90-day mortality. Corticosteroid treatment, antibiotics at intubation and time on IMV were associated with increased aOR of first VA-LRTI.

Global, Regional and National Trends in the Burden of Neonatal Respiratory Failure and essentials of its diagnosis and management from 1992 to 2022: a scoping review.

Neonatal respiratory failure (NRF) is an emergency which has not been examined extensively. We critically synthesized the contemporary in-hospital prevalence, mortality rate, predictors, aetiologies, diagnosis and management of NRF to better formulate measures to curb its burden. We searched MEDLINE and Google Scholar from 01/01/1992 to 31/12/2022 for relevant publications. We identified 237 papers from 58 high-income and low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). NRF prevalence ranged from 0.64 to 88.4% with some heterogeneity. The prevalence was highest in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Globally as well as in Asia and the Americas, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) was the leading aetiology of NRF. Neonatal sepsis was first aetiology in Africa, whereas in both Europe and the Middle East it was transient tachypnoea of the newborn. Independent predictors of NRF were prematurity, male gender, ethnicity, low/high birth weight, young/advanced maternal age, primiparity/multiparity, maternal smoking, pregestational/gestational diabetes mellitus, infectious anamneses, antepartum haemorrhage, gestational hypertensive disorders, multiple pregnancy, caesarean delivery, antenatal drugs, foetal distress, APGAR score, meconium-stained amniotic fluid and poor pregnancy follow-up. The NRF-related in-hospital mortality rate was 0.21-57.3%, highest in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. This death toll was primarily due to RDS globally and in all regions. Clinical evaluation using the Silverman-Anderson score was widely used and reliable. Initial resuscitation followed by specific management was the common clinical practice. CONCLUSION: NRF has a high burden globally, driven by RDS, especially in LIMCs where more aggressive treatment and innovations, preferably subsidized, are warranted to curb its alarming burden. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Neonatal respiratory failure is a frequent emergency associated with a significant morbidity and mortality, yet there is no comprehensive research paper summarizing its global burden. • Neonatal respiratory failure needs prompt diagnosis and treatment geared at improving neonatal survival. WHAT IS NEW: • Neonatal respiratory failure has an alarmingly high global burden largely attributed to Respiratory distress syndrome. Low resource settings are disproportionately affected by the burden of neonatal respiratory failure. • Independent preditors of neonatal respiratory failure are several but can be classified into foetal, maternal and obstetrical factors. An illustrative pedagogical algorithm is provided to facilitate diagnosis and management of neonatal respiratory failure by healthcare providers.

Prevalence of respiratory failure and use of mechanical ventilation in heart failure patients undergoing left atrial appendage occlusion device implantation.

BACKGROUND: We sought to evaluate respiratory complications in heart failure patients undergoing left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. METHODS: Adult admissions (>18 years) undergoing LAAO during 2016-2020 were identified from the National Inpatient Sample. Heart failure (HF) was stratified into systolic (SHF) and diastolic heart failure (DHF) and were compared to those without HF. Outcomes of interested included acute respiratory failure, use of non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation, and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Of 74,440 admissions for atrial fibrillation undergoing LAAO, SHF and DHF were noted in 8335 (11.2%) and 10,925 (14.7%), respectively. The SHF cohort was predominantly male (78%) whereas DHF cohort were female (53%). Compared to those without HF, presence of SHF (2.3% vs. 0.6%; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.61 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.10-2.36]; p = 0.01) and DHF (2.8% vs. 0.6%; adjusted OR 2.20 [95% CI 1.58-3.06]; p < 0.001) were associated with higher rates of acute respiratory failure. SHF (1.7% vs. 0.6%; adjusted OR 1.70 [95% CI 1.07-2.71]; p = 0.02) group but not DHF (1.2% vs. 0.6%; adjusted OR 1.21 [95% CI 0.78-1.89]; p = 0.39) was associated with higher rates of non-invasive ventilation, whereas the DHF group (0.9% vs. 0.2%; adjusted OR 1.91 [95% CI 1.08-3.34]; p = 0.02) but not SHF (0.8% vs. 0.2%; adjusted OR 1.54 [95% CI 0.83-2.84]; p = 0.17) was associated with higher rates of invasive mechanical ventilation use. In-hospital mortality was comparable between cohorts. CONCLUSION: Compared to those without HF, atrial fibrillation admissions with HF undergoing LAAO had higher rates of acute respiratory failure and mechanical ventilation rates without differences in in-hospital mortality.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in obstetric patients: An Israeli nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: The leading causes of maternal mortality include respiratory failure, cardiovascular events, infections, and hemorrhages. The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as rescue therapy in the peripartum period for cardiopulmonary failure is expanding in critical care medicine. METHODS: This retrospective observational study was conducted on a nationwide cohort in Israel. During the 3-year period, between September 1, 2019, and August 31, 2022, all women in the peripartum period who had been supported by ECMO for respiratory or circulatory failure at 10 large Israeli hospitals were identified. Indications for ECMO, maternal and neonatal outcomes, details of ECMO support, and complications were collected. RESULTS: During the 3-year study period, in Israel, there were 540 234 live births, and 28 obstetric patients were supported by ECMO, with an incidence of 5.2 cases per 100 000 or 1 case per 19 000 births (when excluding patients with COVID-19, the incidence will be 2.5 cases per 100 000 births). Of these, 25 were during the postpartum period, of which 16 (64%) were connected in the PPD1, and 3 were during pregnancy. Eighteen patients (64.3%) were supported by V-V ECMO, 9 (32.1%) by V-A ECMO, and one (3.6%) by a VV-A configuration. Hypoxic respiratory failure (ARDS) was the most common indication for ECMO, observed in 21 patients (75%). COVID-19 was the cause of ARDS in 15 (53.7%) patients. The indications for the V-A configuration were cardiomyopathy (3 patients), amniotic fluid embolism (2 patients), sepsis, and pulmonary hypertension. The maternal and fetal survival rates were 89.3% (n = 25) and 100% (n = 28). The average ECMO duration was 17.6 ± 18.6 days and the ICU stay was 29.8 ± 23.8 days. Major bleeding complications requiring surgical intervention were observed in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of using ECMO in the peripartum period is low. The maternal and neonatal survival rates in patients treated with ECMO are high. These results show that ECMO remains an important treatment option for obstetric patients with respiratory and/or cardiopulmonary failure.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Weaning Failure From Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients With Severe Acute Respiratory Insufficiency.

OBJECTIVE: Analysis of the prevalence and risk factors for weaning failure from venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) in patients with severe acute respiratory insufficiency. DESIGN: Single-center retrospective observational study. SETTING: Sixteen beds medical ICU at the University Hospital Regensburg. PATIENTS: Two hundred twenty-seven patients with severe acute respiratory insufficiency requiring VV-ECMO support between October 2011 and December 2017. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients meeting our ECMO weaning criteria (Sp o2 ≥ 90% with F io2 ≤ 0.4 or Pa o2 /F io2 > 150 mm Hg, pH = 7.35-7.45, positive end-expiratory pressure ≤ 10 cm H 2 O, driving pressure < 15 cm H 2 O, respiratory rate < 30/min, tidal volume > 5 mL/kg, ECMO bloodflow ≈ 1. 5 L/min, sweep gas flow ≈ 1 L/min, heart rate < 120/min, systolic blood pressure 90-160 mm Hg, norepinephrine < 0.2 µg/[kg*min]) underwent an ECMO weaning trial (EWT) with pausing sweep gas flow. Arterial blood gas analysis, respiratory and ventilator parameters were recorded prior, during, and after EWTs. Baseline data, including demographics, vitals, respiratory, ventilator, and laboratory parameters were recorded at the time of cannulation. One hundred seventy-nine of 227 (79%) patients were successfully decannulated. Ten patients (4%) underwent prolonged weaning of at least three failed EWTs before successful decannulation. The respiratory rate (19/min vs 16/min, p = 0.002) and Pa co2 (44 mm Hg vs 40 mm Hg, p = 0.003) were higher before failed than successful EWTs. Both parameters were risk factors for ECMO weaning failure (Pa co2 : odds ratio [OR] 1.05; 95% CI, 1.001-1.10; p = 0.045; respiratory rate: OR 1.10; 95% CI, 1.04-1.15; p < 0.001) in multivariable analysis. The rapid shallow breathing index [42 (1/L*min), vs 35 (1/L*min), p = 0.052) was higher before failed than successful EWTs. The decline of Sa o2 and Pa o2 /F io2 during EWTs was higher in failed than successful trials. CONCLUSIONS: Seventy-nine percent of patients were successfully decannulated with only 4% needing prolonged ECMO weaning. Before EWT only parameters of impaired ventilation (insufficient decarboxylation, higher respiratory rate) but not of oxygenation were predictive for weaning failure, whereas during EWT-impaired oxygenation was associated with weaning failure.